New Delhi: India identified inability of their spinners to make breakthroughs as one of the reasons for their seven-wicket loss to New Zealand in the second ODI in Rajkot on Wednesday.
The tourists chased down a 285-run target with 15 balls to spare as Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 131 and Will Young’s 87 set up their win.
Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja gave away 1/126 from a total of 18 overs as India regretted a dropped catch of Mitchell when he was on 80.
“We still thought 290 was about right. We thought the wicket would get a bit tougher tonight. We didn’t actually mind bowling second,” India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said after the match.
“We probably want to bowl a little bit better than we did tonight. Particular spinners, like you say, about lengths.
“But we’ll go back and look at those lengths in more detail. But it’s never just one reason for losing a game. There’s a lot of different things going into that loss tonight,” he added.
‘Tackling Yadav key’
Mitchell said neutralising the threat of wrist-spinner Yadav paved their series-levelling win. Yadav was attacked right from the beginning of his spell and conceded 82 run in his 10 overs
“Kuldeep is one of the best bowlers in the world, he can turn it both ways. It was about adapting to different situations and finding different options against him,” Mitchell said, also highlighting importance of Young’s innings.
“It is really nice to win. We haven’t won here for a couple of years, so nice to get a win. Anytime I play for the country is great,” he said.
“Young is a class player. I love batting with him and we also have fun batting together. He enjoyed playing the spinners and using all his options,” he said, adding that his role was clear once set. “When you get in, it’s your job to take it to the end.”